What We’ve Done

Because we are talking about rebuilding it sometimes sounds like we are a broken down organization – well we’re not. Here are some of the highlights and outcomes of the NNMH worked on diligently over the years by its staff, volunteers and Boards of Directors:

Facilitated and supported the establishment and growth of consumer networks across the country.

The NNMH demonstrated strong advocacy around stigma and discrimination. Also, the NNMH advocated the need for a mental health strategy in Canada.

The NNMH was instrumental in leading a call to action for the implementation of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). The NNMH provided support on a number of levels that included: website development, consultation, networking, etc. accomplished through: fee for service contracts, cross pollination of leadership, communication with our constituency about MHCC activities, and through consultation.

The award winning “BUILT Network” program, a partnership of HRSD’s Opportunities Fund, supported persons with mental health issues/disabilities to become employed. This program supported hundreds of people to become gainfully employed.

The NNMH offers a toll free number for assistance and referral to all Canadians.

The NNMH is a facilitator and founding member of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) – a coalition.

The NNMH initiated and facilitated the development of the Canadian Coalition of Alternatives for Mental Health – a think tank of consumer leaders from across Canada.

In community outreach

Identified the most relevant and key priorities of mental health consumer/survivors living in Canada through the distribution and evaluation of a national questionnaire

At least 25 meetings with other alliances and partnerships over the course of any given year.

These are only a few of the NNMH’s accomplishments of the past more than two decades.

Organizations’ change and they need to change, but we need to celebrate what has been done so far. We can’t go forward without acknowledging our very rich past.

Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH)www.camimh.ca

The NNMH is a founding member of this organization, and a very integral partner in the formation of this body.

History

Established in 1998, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is an alliance of mental health organizations comprised of health care providers and organizations representing persons with mental illness and their families and caregivers. CAMIMH’s mandate is to ensure that mental health is placed on the national agenda so that persons with a lived experience of mental illness and their families receive appropriate access to care and support.

The Canadian Coalition of Alternative Mental Health Resources (CCAMHR)http://ccamhr.ca/

The Coalition accomplished a tremendous amount of work it its short tenure.

In 2004 folks involved at the Board, Staff, and Member levels of the National Network for Mental Health got to talking about a national coalition of consumer leaders to address the pressing policy issues we all address. It seemed at that time, since monies were accessible, that we should put forth a proposal to Social Development Canada to create such a coalition.

It was expected that if such a coalition was created, we could bring together leaders in mental health from across the country to address policies and positions of the consumers nationally, so that we can all benefit from a united voice. These position papers and policy statements could be as is, or modified to meet the needs of each consumer organization operating in Canada, and will allow us to work and lobby for change with one voice. It is very difficult for government to not take into account our needs if we articulate them the same way in a consistent manner.

Mission Statement

The Canadian Coalition of Alternative Mental Health Resources is a National forum that embraces best practices, alternative programs, learning opportunities, knowledge transfer and resource sharing.

Vision Statement

Canadian society will embrace the dignity, integrity, strength and self-determination of all persons living with mental health issues.

In mid-January 2005 we brought together 24 leaders from across Canada to initiate the creation of the coalition as an entity created and facilitated by the National Network for Mental Health (NNMH) but not owned by the NNMH.

The leaders created the name, mission statement, vision statement and goals of the coalition. There were four committees, each being the Policy Committee, Communication Committee, Research Committee and Conference Planning Committee.

This was a successful project of the National Network for Mental Health. Unfortunately subsequent efforts to attain funding were not realized.